Dedicated / Colocation Server Hosting

A dedicated server or colocation is a type of Internet hosting where the client uses an entire server and it is not shared with anyone else. This is more flexible than shared hosting or a VPS, as organizations have full control over the server(s), including choice of operating system, hardware, kernel, kernel options, etc.

Dedicated / colocation servers are most often housed in data centers, similar to colocation facilities, providing redundant power sources and HVAC systems. Since the servers are housed at these data centers the customers benefits from the ability to get muti-homed bandwidth and also enterprise backup power solutions.

With dedicate servers the server hardware is owned by the provider and in some cases they will provide support for your operating system or applications. With a colocation service the server is actually owned by the client and is shipped to the data center where it is plugged into the network.

Bandwidth refers to the data transfer rate or the amount of data that can be carried from one point to another in a given time period (usually a second) and is often represented in bits (of data) per second (bps). For example, visitors to your server, web site, or applications utilize bandwidth as the traffic moves from your server to the Internet and vice versa. Connectivity refers to the “access providers” that supply bandwidth, or data transfer rate, through various connection points across a network or footprint to one or multiple data centers where dedicated servers are housed.

Bandwidth measurements are defined (per telecom standards) as the following:

95th (measured using average bits and speed of transfer), the top 35 hours of the month are disgarded.
Line Speed, billed on the 95th percentile, average or peak usage, refers to the speed in which data flows from the server or device. The measurement can be compared to mph (Miles Per Hour), or how fast something travels. Line Speed is measured using bits per second, kilobits per second, megabits per second, and gigabits per second.

Second – Unmetered (measured in speed or bits), this is generally found on a 100 Mbps connection or less.
The second bandwidth measurement is Unmetered service where providers cap or control the “top line” speed for a server. Top line speed in Unmetered bandwidth is the total Mbit/s allocated to the server and configured on the switch level. For example, if you purchase 10 Mbit/s Unmetered bandwidth, the top line speed would be 10 Mbit/s. 10 Mbit/s would result in the provider controlling the speed transfers take place while providing the ability for the dedicated server owner to not be charged with bandwidth overages. Unmetered bandwidth services usually incur an additional charge.

 

Third – Total Transfer (measured in bytes transferred)
Some providers will calculate the Total Transfer, the measurement of actual data leaving and coming from the server, measured in bytes. Measurement between providers varies and includes one of the following equations:

One of the reasons people choose to outsource dedicated servers is the availability of high powered networks from multiple providers. As dedicated server providers utilize massive amounts of bandwidth, they are able to secure lower volume based pricing to include a multi-provider blend of bandwidth. To achieve the same type of network without a multi-provider blend of bandwidth, a large investment in core routers, long term contracts, and expensive monthly bills would need to be in place. The expenses needed to develop a network without a multi-provider blend of bandwidth does not make sense economically for hosting providers.

Many dedicated and colocation server providers include a SLA (Service Level Agreement) based on network uptime.

Advantages

• No limitations by a VPS such as the type of the operating system or the type of kernel that you are using.
• Virtually unlimied resources and choice of any architecture that you want.

Disadvantages

• Takes longer to migrate or upgrade from one server to another.